α1-antitrypsin deficiency and PI typing in patients with chronic urticaria

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Abstract
A group of 281 patients with chronic urticaria was classified into various subtypes and compared with 357 healthy controls for PI types of .alpha.1-antitrypsin. Total .alpha.1-antitrypsin was measured by Mancini technique, and PI types were determined by isoelectric focusing. The MZ phenotype and the Z gene frequency were significantly more frequent in the urticaria group. The Z gene predominated in the groups with cold urticaria and acquired angio-edema. The total group of chronic urticaria patients showed a significant decrease in total .alpha.1-antitrypsin compared with the control group (P < 0.03). Deficiencies in .alpha.1-antitrypsin may predispose to the development of certain types of urticaria and angioedema.